End 2024. Hello 2025

I hope you're doing fantastically well, I apologize for the ridiculous delay in getting back to you as I was caught up in the utter chaos of festivities. 

We recently had our big Thanksgiving event, which my daughter May organized with the precision of a military general. I couldn't resist lending a hand since I enjoy working with her and she's the only one who can tolerate my antics. She is calm and organized, making everything run smoothly, except when I'm around. This year, we hosted around 40 people, fewer than in previous years, which was a huge relief because I didn't have to mortgage my house to feed them all. 

Now, we are getting into the Christmas spirit, and I have put up my little tree, mainly because Robin enjoys decorating it and I enjoy watching him make a mess. Growing up, my family didn't celebrate much, so I never got deeply into it, but we do like spending time together and exchanging gifts, mostly so we can return them later👀. I'm glad you can relax and have a pleasant time with your neighbors, as long as they're not too annoying. 

Winter has arrived, and the weather has been quite blustery, not ideal for walks, but perfect for staying indoors and eating an entire pizza by myself. I have a few winter projects lined up, including making some mosaic work, which I learned about when I visited my sister in Patagonia and she taught me how to make a mess with tiles. My next project is a garden pole for May's garden, which will be a bit of a job, but I've been wanting to try it for some time, mostly so I can prove to myself that I'm not completely useless. 

I've also been working on a travel blog on Facebook of my Spanish and Cornwall adventures.

Christmas has come and gone, and it was nice to spend time with loved ones, except for that one relative who always argues about politics. 

New Year's was different this year, as the younger ones organized a mystery murder game, which was entertaining, mostly because nobody knew what was going on. We stayed up to watch the fireworks but had to return to our warm cabins and get our beauty sleep which was around midnight.

The cold weather has been a challenge, and everyone is staying indoors until it passes, or until we all start to smell really bad. 

Soon, life will return to normal, and the school schedule will get us back into a routine, which I'm sure we'll all promptly ignore. 

Happy New Year 2025, may it be less chaotic than the last one.

My homie Hobbit in charge of the decor

sleigh, bells, 

sleigh, bells,snow and carols

baby its cold outside

Nordic W Spain October/24

Day 1 kicked off with the thrill of an early morning adventure as we embarked on our exciting journey from Bournemouth to the stunning shores of Faro, Portugal! This trip was significant because it marked a joyous reunion with my fellow Nordic Walking Fit Dorset team members, whom I hadn’t seen since 2019 due to the pandemic. The atmosphere was electric as we hugged and laughed, and our incredible leader, Lynne Martin, welcomed us back with her signature warmth and enthusiasm. After having already conquered a walk with another group, her tireless energy invigorated us all!

Throughout the week, the charming family-owned mini-bus company, ALCAIDE & SONS, treated us to fantastic transfers. Our drivers were not just friendly; they were wonderful storytellers, regaling us with captivating tales about the history of the places we explored. It felt like we had a personal tour guide with every ride! I could see the amusement in their eyes at our quirky antics, but they embraced our unique spirit wholeheartedly. It warmed my heart to watch them smile when I spoke Spanish; our conversations flowed easily as I often snagged a front seat. Listening to their stories about family and life made each journey feel like a genuine connection far beyond mere transportation.

As the day came to a close, we arrived at the magical Finca Valbono, a hidden jewel tucked away in the breathtaking Sierras de Aracena. It felt like coming home to a place we couldn't wait to revisit! Our first evening was capped off with an enchanting stroll through the town, leading us to an incredible meal at Montecruz. What a perfect start to our adventure!

Day 2 kicked off with an exciting adventure to a spot we hadn't yet explored: Cañaveral de León. I had not visited this enchanting place before, never had I witnessed the pool in its full splendor—what a breathtaking sight to see the laguna and its fountains alive and vibrant!

We set off on a circular route along the charming paths that crisscross the countryside. Though we encountered some hills, the stunning views made every step worth it. After our trek, it was time to indulge in a delightful picnic lunch, savoring the fresh air and the beauty around us.

Our cultural exploration continued as we wandered into an Olive Oil Museum and marveled at the exquisite church nearby. To top it all off, we popped into a quaint local bar for a refreshing drink. Although these gems were technically closed, we were given special access—what a privilege to be able to enjoy them in such an intimate setting!

Returning to the hotel, we were treated to a delicious dinner, followed by a celebratory birthday cake for Neil. I have no doubt he had an unforgettable birthday in the stunning Natural Park of Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche!

Day 3 and it’s not exactly the Spanish weather we had hoped for. Still, we choose to embrace the elements and make the most of it. The walk from Aracena to Linares de Sierra was quite manageable, with paths that offered some shelter from the trees, and we were fortunate that the skies lightened a bit for us. It turned into a wonderful Nordic walk towards our destination. 

Speaking of which, arriving at #Arrieros for that delightful Michelin-style lunch felt like a well-deserved reward. It was so worth the journey, and truly a gastronomic treat that lifted our spirits!

While our Spanish holidays are often filled with invigorating Nordic Walking adventures, one of the standout experiences was an engaging workshop led by Natalie from Alchemy Skin and Soul. Natalie shared her deep passion for natural skincare, guiding us through the fascinating process of creating our own personalized skin creams. 

As we mixed and blended various organic ingredients, it was not only a learning experience but also a joyous and creative endeavor. We left with our very own jars of luxurious, hand-crafted cream, infused with the essence of the beautiful Sierra surroundings. 

It was a delightful blend of fun, education, and self-care, and we can't thank Natalie enough for this wonderful opportunity! ❤️

Day 4 arrives, and how wonderful it is to bask in the Spanish sunshine. Today, we found ourselves at Finca Robledo, a charming goat farm where we had the delightful opportunity to make our own cheese. We started the day with a warm tour, watching the goats being milked and exploring a small museum that shared the rich history of this place, which has been thriving for over 100 years. It was fascinating to learn about the cheese-making process firsthand.

The highlight was undoubtedly the cheese and wine tasting—what a treat for our elevensies! It was not only delicious but also incredibly informative, and now we each get to take home a piece of our experience with the cheese we made ourselves.

Afterward, we set out with our walking poles to stroll back to our hotel. The stunning views, bathed in the golden light of the Sierra autumn sun, took our breath away. 

It truly has been an amazing day on our NordicWalkingFit Spanish Holiday, filled with joy and connection with nature.  

Just wrapped up our farewell dinner at Finca Valbono, and it was such a wonderful evening! We savored some amazing tapas while enjoying the beautiful sounds of Flamenco music. A couple of us even joined in on the dancing—it was such a delight!

I can’t believe we’re leaving Finca Valbono; it truly is a magical place to stay. Huge thanks to Blas and Monica for everything! Until next time!

Now, we’re off to our next destination in Galaroza. 

Day 5 We woke up to sunshine in the Sierras and enjoyed a fantastic walk from Peña de Arias Montano to Castaño del Robledo for a delicious lunch and a refreshing drink. After that, we headed down to Galaroza, where we received a warm welcome at our next hotel, Doce Canas, for the second half of our holiday.

The best surprise was running into Jara on the path—it was so lovely to see him! I met him when he was a teenager and our church group had just purchased the Los Veneros land - which was later sold to the municipality of Santa Ana la Real and now is a 5-star resort. Life does mysterious things….We ended the day with a great dinner at the local spot, Bar Martin, where the food was delicious as was the good camaraderie.

Loving every moment of our Spanish Nordic Walking Adventure!  

#nordicwalkingfit #spanishnordicwalkingholidays #caminos #galaroza #docecanas

Day 6 Oh, the Spanish weather can be quite a surprise! We started our day at Cortegana Castle, where the views are usually breathtaking, but today it felt more like stepping into a mysterious painting. Despite the heavy mist, we embraced the atmosphere and wrapped ourselves up warmly to explore. Thankfully, as we ventured on, the fog began to lift a bit, revealing overcast skies with some lovely sunny breaks, making our walk quite pleasant.

Shout out to my fellow walker Rachel who stuck with me, since the paths we followed had their challenges—navigating under fallen trees, rocky terrain, and streams turned our journey into a thrilling adventure as we made our way to Almonaster. When we finally arrived, we climbed up to the ancient mosque, where the serene views of the Sierra mountains offered a moment of peaceful reflection—definitely one of my favorite spots.

With this being our last walk, we felt celebrating with refreshments in the village was absolutely essential. It was a wonderful way to wrap up a fantastic week filled with Nordic walking and create lasting memories of our holiday in Spain.

Gri's galivanting's - October '24

 

As many of you know, I had an exciting adventure in October! I went Nordic walking in the beautiful landscapes of southern Spain in the Sierras de Aracena y Picos de Aroche region with some Nordic walking friends, and I also took the opportunity to visit family and friends in the lovely areas of Cornwall and Dorset in the UK. After a long journey with some layovers in Seattle and Heathrow, I finally arrived in Swanage, where my lovely friend Maureen welcomed me with open arms. She was
a great host, and we explored this charming coastal town together.

  

We checked out some incredible historical sites, including an old mine where the famous Purbeck stone was extracted.  There are many mine shafts across the landscape, notably Tilly Whim Caves in a dry glacial meltwater valley. The abandoned quarry now hosts a rookery of bats, which are protected…that was rather sinister. For obvious safety reasons, the entrance is now chained. 

The Great Globe is regarded as one of the largest stone spheres in the world, weighing around 40 tonnes. Just thinking about the fact that it was built in the 1800s highlights the extraordinary engineering skills of the time. It's a place that really leaves you with a sense of wonder! 

One of the highlights of my brief visit to Swanage was Durlston Park and Nature Reserve, and I have to say, it was simply breathtaking!  There are countless fun activities for kids, and the views of Dorset’s stunning Jurassic coastline are nothing short of awe-inspiring—complete with meadows, sea cliffs, and fantastic walking trails. 

                                                            

I found the charming castle, with its lovely café, to be a welcoming place to relax. 

We decided not to climb up to the lighthouse since the day was damp and blustery.

I was amazed to learn how this peaceful little town played a vital role during World War II, helping to defend the UK against a potential German invasion! There are still remnants of that time scattered along the beaches and coastline. One of them is Fort Henry, a sturdy bunker that overlooked the bay and was once a vantage point for Churchill, Eisenhower, Montgomery, and even the King. Standing there, looking at the stunning Studland Bay, it was hard to believe that such a beautiful spot had witnessed so much history and death, all rather grim.

We spent time strolling through the picturesque countryside, admiring the breathtaking scenery and visiting the centuries-old Norman church of St. Nicholas. 

Later, we joined my cousin Eve for delightful musical events, including a series of Victorian Harvest hymns and a captivating show by the Welsh folk group Vri, who were extremely talented and lively. Eve had performed at this church earlier in the year with her fellow choristers, 

Upon our return from Spain, I was warmly hosted by my Nordic walking pal Jan, who lives in a lovely house on the Arne near the charming town of Wareham. 

The next morning, the team took us on a scenic hike to the Old Harry Rocks, a place I'd long wanted to see. It's quite impressive and rather breathtaking, especially when standing alone, being invigorated by wind and rain - reminiscent of Wuthering Heights. Apparently, daredevils sometimes fall over the cliffs.

My lovely hosts, Jan and Maureen 💚💚💚 and Lynne, our fearless leader💙💙💙

See you in the next chapter in Spain, Picos de Aroche - where we spent a week full of adventures, walks/hikes in the rain, enjoyed Spain's gastronomic delights, and made new memories.